---
title: puberty — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «puberty» in the school dictionary: Puberty is the time, usually between about 9 and 16, when a child's body slowly changes into an adult's body. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# puberty

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Puberty, body, natural chemicals, normal part, Many children, voices · **What happens:** be, change, cause, call, grow up, go · **To what, where:** time, body, It, hormones, normal part, puberty · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«puberty» in the school dictionary: its 2 meanings for a pupil and its 7 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [puberty in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/puberty.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Puberty is the time, usually between about 9 and 16, when a child's body slowly changes into an adult's body.

<!-- fold The tree, 22 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:puberty:m1:1
# text = Puberty is the time, usually between about 9 and 16, when a child's body slowly changes into an adult's body.
1	Puberty	puberty	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	time	time	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	9	punct	_	_
6	usually	usually	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	_
7	between	between	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	about	about	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	_
9	9	9	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	4	parataxis	_	_
10	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
11	16	16	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	9	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	19	punct	_	_
13	when	when	SCONJ	WRB	_	19	mark	_	_
14	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	15	det	_	_
15	child	child	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	17	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	's	's	PART	POS	_	15	case	_	_
17	body	body	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	19	nsubj	_	_
18	slowly	slowly	ADV	RB	_	19	advmod	_	_
19	changes	change	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	conj	_	_
20	into	into	ADP	IN	_	24	case	_	_
21	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	22	det	_	_
22	adult	adult	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	24	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
23	's	's	PART	POS	_	22	case	_	_
24	body	body	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	19	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
25	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Puberty | the time |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **change** | present | a child's body |  |  |  |  | into a adult's body *result*; slowly *property* | vn turn-26.6.1-1 «NP.patient V PP.result»: agent=Patient into body=Result |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
It is caused by natural chemicals in the body called hormones.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:puberty:m2:1
# text = It is caused by natural chemicals in the body called hormones.
1	It	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj:pass	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux:pass	_	_
3	caused	cause	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
4	by	by	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	natural	natural	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	chemicals	chemical	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obl	_	_
7	in	in	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	body	body	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	_
10	called	call	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	9	acl	_	_
11	hormones	hormone	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	10	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **cause** | present · passive | natural chemicals | It |  | the body |  |  | vn engender-27.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Precondition subject=Patient |
| 2 | **call** | participle | the body *not said here* | hormones |  |  |  |  | vn initiate\_communication-37.4.2-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Puberty is a normal part of growing up.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:puberty:x1:1
# text = Puberty is a normal part of growing up.
1	Puberty	puberty	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	normal	normal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	part	part	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	of	of	SCONJ	IN	_	7	mark	_	_
7	growing	grow	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	5	acl	_	_
8	up	up	ADP	RP	_	7	compound:prt	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Puberty | a normal part |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **grow up** | gerund | a normal part *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn appear-48.1.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Many children go through puberty between the ages of 10 and 15.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:puberty:x2:1
# text = Many children go through puberty between the ages of 10 and 15.
1	Many	many	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	children	child	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	go	go	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	through	through	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	puberty	puberty	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	_
6	between	between	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	ages	age	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nmod	_	_
9	of	of	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	10	10	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	8	nmod	_	_
11	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	12	cc	_	_
12	15	15	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	10	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **go** | present | Many children |  |  | puberty between the ages of 10 |  |  | vn escape-51.1-1 «NP V PP.initial\_location»: agent=Theme through puberty=Initial\_Location |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Boys' voices get deeper during puberty.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:puberty:x3:1
# text = Boys' voices get deeper during puberty.
1	Boys	boy	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	'	's	PART	POS	_	1	case	_	_
3	voices	voice	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj	_	_
4	get	get	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	deeper	deep	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	4	xcomp	_	_
6	during	during	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	puberty	puberty	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **get** | present | Boys's voices |  |  |  |  | deep *property* | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Experiencer |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Girls often start puberty a little earlier than boys.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:puberty:x4:1
# text = Girls often start puberty a little earlier than boys.
1	Girls	girl	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
2	often	often	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	_
3	start	start	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	puberty	puberty	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	little	little	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	obl	_	_
7	earlier	early	ADV	RBR	Degree=Cmp	3	advmod	_	_
8	than	than	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	boys	boy	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **start** | present | Girls | puberty |  |  |  | early, often *property* | vn begin-55.1-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent puberty=Eventuality |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Our health lesson was about the changes of puberty.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:puberty:x5:1
# text = Our health lesson was about the changes of puberty.
1	Our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	3	nmod:poss	_	_
2	health	health	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	lesson	lesson	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
4	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
5	about	about	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	changes	change	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	0	root	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	puberty	puberty	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | Our health lesson |  |  |  |  | about the changes; of puberty | tree rules |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
During puberty you may need to wash more often.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:puberty:x6:1
# text = During puberty you may need to wash more often.
1	During	during	ADP	IN	_	2	case	_	_
2	puberty	puberty	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	_
3	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	5	nsubj	_	_
4	may	may	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	5	aux	_	_
5	need	need	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	wash	wash	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	xcomp	_	_
8	more	more	ADV	RBR	Degree=Cmp	9	advmod	_	_
9	often	often	ADV	RB	_	7	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **need** | may | you |  |  |  | during puberty |  | vn want-32.1-1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Pivot clause=Theme |
| 2 | **wash** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  | often *property* | vn floss-41.2.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
It is fine to ask a parent or the school nurse about puberty.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:puberty:x7:1
# text = It is fine to ask a parent or the school nurse about puberty.
1	It	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	expl	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	cop	_	_
3	fine	fine	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	ask	ask	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	csubj	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	parent	parent	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	_
8	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
10	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	compound	_	_
11	nurse	nurse	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	conj	_	_
12	about	about	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
13	puberty	puberty	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present |  |  |  |  |  | fine *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **ask** *speech: ask* | to-infinitive |  |  | a parent or the school nurse about puberty |  |  |  | vn inquire-37.1.2 «NP V NP.recipient»: agent=Agent parent=Recipient |

<!-- div src -->

**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

<!-- /div -->

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